Question Everything.

New Comment Policy

I, Jonathan, am no longer going to respond to the comment section on this blog.

There are many reasons for doing this. First, I’ll be honest, trying to answer every post is just exhausting. I’m a husband. I’m a dad. I’m a campus minister. I’m a writer. I’m planning a trip to New Orleans. I have found myself not doing these jobs well because of fretting or worrying about replying to posts. Indeed, I have often stayed up late stewing about our conversations here.

I do this because I think all of you deserve answers. I have a responsiblity to you all to answer your posts. But, I just can’t. Something in my life has to give at this point. I realize that there are better people than me who can do all of this. I’m just not one of them.

I have contemplated shutting down the blog for a number of times in the past six months both in good times and in bad. I have decided that’s not the course of action I wanted to take. I think this blog occupies a unique place for Christians and atheists of all stripes to have amazing discussions. But, it’s also my blog where I talk about things that interest me, books, writing, movies and culture. All of those things are going to continue. I enjoy posting those things for people to talk about. I even enjoy the give and take of the comment discussions. That’s the problem. I enjoy them too much at the neglect of other things that have more of a claim on my time.

So, I came up with this solution. Consider my blog posts as ways to introduce discussion points and then discuss away. Same rules apply. You can attack me verbally, but not others. No editing. No banning unless you ignore my warnings about attacking other people.

I should point out this is not permanent. I’m hoping once summer comes, I’ll be able to get back into the swing of answering each comment post.

Doubtfully,

J-

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I’d like to say that, despite my disagreement with you today in the previous thread, I’m upset to hear this. I think your comments add a unique voice and direction to the discussion. I understand that it can absorb a person to get caught up in a chain of post and response, over and over, and it can take over one’s time and mental resources. I do hope you don’t stop posting at least the occasional brief comment or question, and do look forward to the end of your commenting hiatus. You’re a worthy adversary, and a stalwart voice in the debate, and it would be a shame to lose you.

Jon,
I can well understand that – I spend too much time arguing on blogs myself, and often the argument continues in my head when I’m trying to sleep. I have in the past taken longish breaks and I think you’re wise to do as you intend if the strain is telling on you. Incidentally, my current intention is to stick around for the rest of Cruz’s posts on the problem of evil and the incarnation, then cease posting here.